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A version of this piece first ran as part of the New York Jewish Week’s daily newsletter, rounding up the latest on politics, culture, food and what’s new with Jews in the city. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
What you need to know today
- Hochul’s advice: In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she encouraged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to focus on the city’s government over Israel following the mayor’s sharp criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month. Mamdani’s comments have drawn criticism from some New York Jewish leaders, who warn that he is inciting violence against the city’s Jews. “I encourage him to — ‘let’s focus on the blocking and tackling of city government,’” Hochul said. “That is where I believe the main focus should be.”
- New life for Jewish vacation destination: Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel, the iconic Borscht Belt hotel that inspired the film “Dirty Dancing,” will be transformed into a year-round resort and residential community, JNS reports. The property was purchased by PPG Development for $14.75 million in June 2025.
- Arrest in South Florida: A 35-year-old man was arrested after police said he made antisemitic remarks toward and attacked a Jewish couple visiting Surfside, Florida, from New York, Ynet reports. According to police, the suspect, Jorden Stephen Perozo, punched the male victim in the head and then threatened to kill him as the victim tried to walk away. Perozo was arrested and charged with battery with prejudice and harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage.
- Columbia professor’s lawsuit dismissed: A New York judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by former Columbia visiting professor Mohamed Abdou over former university president Minouche Shafik’s 2024 congressional testimony. At the time, Shafik said Abdou, who had posted after Oct. 7 that he was “with Hamas and Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad,” would “never teach at Columbia again,” according to JNS. The judge rejected Abdou’s defamation claims.
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